Theater Director: Dumbo’s the New Tribeca

if the Wilson of 30 years ago walked into the Dumbo of today, he would not say that. But he would enjoy a nice hot chocolate at Jacques Torres.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 9:42 AM

perhaps Tribeca 10 or 15 years ago... if it were Tribeca 30 years ago I might be able to afford it.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 9:56 AM

I have to say, DUMBO is missing a certain energy these days. It needs any help it can get.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:02 AM

Tribeca and SoHo both had long periods when they were actually interesting. Dumbo went from Interesting to West Elm in about 4 years.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:28 AM

Dumbo went straight to lame.

Already the rents are too expensive to have anything but crappy chains and chase banks. It's a good place for people that like the crappy parts of manhattan, but can't afford it (ie. bankers who aren't really making the cut)

From desolate to disney-poop in a matter of a few years.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:52 AM

where is the what? got some info for you and all the other naysayers...

" Bloomberg reported that bonuses will total a record $38 billion, which flies in the face of those grim down 10% and down 15% predictions. That comes out to about $201,500 for every Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers and Bear Sterns blueshirt on your block. Of course, the guys at the top will be clearing $10 million, so those averages don't mean much."

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:00 AM

what makes a place interesting?

I agree that Dumbo is lamesville but what makes a place interesting to you?

survey says...

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:22 AM

I disagree that dumbo is lame. It no doubt has the cool factor, no denying that. But outside of galleries there isn't enough variety. I was looking into opening up a restaurant there, but the rents are sky high. How is the neighborhood expected to flourish if independent entrepreneurs can't afford to set up shop?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:41 AM

And that's what make it lame, 11:41. All the life has been priced out of it.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:45 AM

dumbo prices are high because of proximity to manhattan and because of the views. also, some hype.

i worked with a photo studio in the area for several years and saw the changes. think the artists just moved to williamsburg/east williamsburg, etc.. no one i know who was there a couple of years ago is still there, but that's the way it goes.

personally, the noise, pollution and the projects put me off as a place to live, and I always thought it would've been a great commercial area instead of residential because of those negatives.

i believe that when the williamsburg waterfront gets developed, which will probably really take at least 3 years to see a few buildings up and some of the river front turned into public park land, that it will surpass dumbo in terms of desirability for those who want waterfront.

the burg's waterfront will have none of dumbo's problems - especially that project - and have access to many more shops and restaurants and both of higher quality. also, there will be extensive public riverfront / park land. expect to see dumbo + pricing for these properties in the next 5-10 years. I am not in a position to move, but i would buy there if i was.

believe that waterfront taxi's will continue to flourish too. also, there's easy bridge access from the waterfront area.

i don't think that people on this site are looking to invest in apts in williamsburg, so they might not get or care about what i am saying here, but there will be a market for these buildings as evidenced by what happened in Dumbo, a worse area.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:54 AM

the williamsburg waterfront is ZERO comparison to dumbo.

it will be made up of hideous new construction glass buildings far from the subway.

you are comparing that to mostly old renovated wharehouses on cobblestone streets, sitting under one of the most beautiful bridges in the world??

there are people who are into williamsburg and then there is everyone else. i see no appeal whatsoever in williamsburg. you couldn't pay me to live there.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:00 PM

That beautiful bridge is a damn noisy thing to be under. Ever actually been to Dumbo? It's a near constant rattle from above.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:11 PM

yes, i've been to dumbo. i worked there for a year and love it. it's one of my favorite neighborhoods in new york city.

i guess my ears are not as delicate as yours.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:13 PM

rich people pretty much ruin everything.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:14 PM

ever been to brownsville, camden, nj, east new york, parts of newark, south philly, east baltimore, mississippi??

i'd say poor people do their share of ruining "everything" as you say.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:16 PM

oh my god 12:00. you obviously don't get it.

1) there are several NEW dumbo buildings that went up.

2) domino and others will be older buildings that will be renovated. they are not done yet. will take a few years.

3) dumbo is LOUD, not kinda loud. unbearably soul crunching loud.

4) dumbo is FILTHY. 2 bridges and the BQE. it's dirty and smelly of exhaust.

5) dumbo has a giant giant PROJECT.

6) there is a tiny beach. williamsburg will have blocks and blocks of park/beach.

7) can you think that others might like the williamsburg waterfront? can you imagine the views?

8) there's very few amenities in Dumbo compared to williamsburg. i don't think most on this site really understand how amazing the restaurants and stores are there.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:22 PM

i think we UNDERSTAND what you are saying.

i just don't agree. nothing you say about williamsburg will make me like it. i've been a million times and can't stand it.

i prefer dumbo. why is that so hard to believe?

you like williamsburg better and i like dumbo better. what's so hard to comprehend about that?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:27 PM

"amazing the restaurants and stores are"

amazing?? come on now.

there are a couple that are OK or maybe even above average, but absolutely NONE are amazing.

i like beacon's closet, although i now go to the one in park slope because just getting off at the bedford stop makes me ill.

the river cafe is more of an amazing restaurant than anything williamsburg has to offer.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:30 PM

b/c Dumbo is so over priced it makes my head hurt. If the rents where half it would be a dreamland.

thats why I cant comprehend

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:32 PM

ummm...yeah...because williamsburg is so much cheaper...

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:32 PM

I thought Dumbo was lofts for millionaires who took the water taxi to wall street? Not exactly cutting edge creativity. I think there was about 5 minutes of that for Dumbo in 1995. I like going down there with my kid to the waterfront to get chocolate and go to the playground on occasion.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:46 PM

Here's a thought: BOTH Dumbo and Williamsburg SUCK. Just in slightly different ways.

Now kiss and make up.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:50 PM

i'll take that compromise, 12:50.

i won't be leaving park slope anytime soon, anyway.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:53 PM

C'mon now, EVERYTHING that is EVERYWHERE kinda sucks, doesn't it?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:06 PM

contrary to some, i happen to think park slope doesn't suck at all.

i love it, actually.

i think it's important to love where you live. saying that everything sucks is no way to live your life.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:08 PM

i don't think most of you know williamsburg if you don't understand the depths of the restaurant scene or believe that another area in brooklyn matches it.

que sera.

anyway, regardless of what you may personally think or want, an apartment on the waterfront with manhattan views is going to be desired by many people. it will be a good investment. perhaps an investment that someone rents out.

my neighbor's 60+ father was visiting the other day and told me how he's bought in the Toll Bros highrise. he won't be living there, it's to rent out. the apt he bought will never have blocked views either he said.

if a 60 something guy who lives in staten island can see that there's a tremendous oppotunity right now to buy waterfront property surely a brooklynite can too, no?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:14 PM

"95% of the neighborhood population just moved in within the last five years."

You're touting that as a BENEFIT?

Ick.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:21 PM

ARGHHHH- the old THERE ARE NO GOOD RESTAURANTS IN williamsburg debate that always makes me want to kill someone. Anyone been to Dressler? Moto? Dumont? Marlowe & Sons? For God's sake, just admit there are good restaurants there if NOTHING else. Amazing to me that people on this site are SO threatened by Wburg.

That being said, I LOVE Dumbo as well. Just feels like you would get a little claustrophobic living there - well, really if you have kids and have to spend a lot of time in your neighb esp with kids, since you are kind of stuck in this little enclave without easy access to other neighborhoods. But it has such a wonderful feel to it. countercultural? not at all. bohemian? Try BOBO (bourgeouis bohemian for those of you not in the know) - it is bobo to a T.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:24 PM

Bobo = boring boring.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:26 PM

the sheer desperation by brokers touting williamsburg on this thread today is enough to make ANYONE hate it.

your comments 1:14 are absurd and ridiculous.

your 60 year old whoever is one of the only people to buy in the nearly bankrupt toll bros project.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:48 PM

1:31 - you seem to be implying that you need blacks and Hispanics on your "movie set" to make it interesting?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 2:00 PM

If you realize that everything sucks, you can then start applying "degrees of suck" to things and rank accordingly!

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 2:12 PM

suck level...10 is most sucky...1 least suckified:

williamsburg: 9
dumbo: 5
park slope: 3
greenpoint: 8
bushwick: 7
cobble hill: 3
brooklyn heights: 4
bay ridge: 6
boreum hill: 4
ft. greene: 3

manhattan: 10

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 2:18 PM

What, no ranking for Coney Island?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 4:07 PM

coney island: a solid 4!

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 4:13 PM

Coney Island in the Winter: 11

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 4:37 PM

Dumbo of 20 years ago was more like Beirut of 30 years ago.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 4:45 PM

Sam at 1:14 spoke of DUMBO apartments as "luxurious with low monthly maintenance."

That's because all of the developers misused the 421A tax abatements, designed for affordable housing, and built this golden ghetto for the rich. Enjoy it until the tax abatements expire.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 6:00 PM

so true, brooklynlove.

i love dumbo.

seriously dislike bburg.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 8:52 PM

i do wish dumbo had gone more commercial rather than residential. the commercial photography community got displaced from chelsea years ago, and would've been nice to see it there.

i think some of the down side to Dumbo as a residential neighborhood wouldn't have mattered to commercial tenants as much.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:56 PM

williamsburg square foot prices right now are substantially less than dumbo's, but i think that i won't last.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:58 PM

oops, IT wont last.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 10:59 PM

from reading this, i think a point was missed. point is that if waterfront dumbo is expensive, then the williamsburg waterfront will end up more expensive because it has more advantages.

don't think that that means that Dumbo sucks. more that williamsburg could be a good investment.

also, not sure that every time someone writes anything here that shows insight into a neighborhood we have to scream broker.

i've bought several places in brooklyn and have done tons of research and have opinions on brooklyn real estate that i discuss with people all the time. Frankly, I usually find I know more than the brokers i meet.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:03 PM

sounds like alot of poor man's biased hatred about dumbo to me. it is like a fat girl saying that model is too skinny, she should eat. or a bald guy saying fabio's hair makes him gay. there's always a down side isn't there new yorkers? the comment about everything sucking was on point. this is nyc, the land of the vocal skeptic. don't expect to hear anything overly nice or else people will listen with caution. never let your guard down new york or you will get eaten up alive. oh how i hate ny! i mean love.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 11:48 PM

Fabio IS gay, 11:48. Where have you been?

Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 8:47 AM